James Harden scores 24 points in preseason debut

With the Cavaliers getting dominant efforts from Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, they didn’t need much from Harden or Donovan Mitchell (15/4/3 with two three-pointers) on Saturday. However, fantasy managers rostering either guard likely hoped for more production. Harden played 26 minutes on Saturday, checking out for the last time with 2:45 remaining in the third quarter.

Harden has been underwhelming this season, with his scoring, assists and shooting efficiency all down. However, he was able to get his shot going in this one, and he ended up scoring at least 20 points for the first time this season while also having his best field goal percentage of the season. However, the trade-off was a new season low for assists. Harden should be better as the season progresses, but he may not play to his third-round ADP.

After scoring two points on 1-of-6 shooting in the first half, Harden stepped up in the second half. He scored 20 points after halftime, 15 of them in the third and fourth quarters. Harden scored five of Cleveland’s 14 points in overtime, helping the Cavaliers hand Minnesota its first loss of the season.

Harden was limited to six points in the first half of Thursday’s season opener, then scored 10 after halftime. However, ball control was an issue in the second half, as the Cavaliers’ point guard turned the ball over four times. As a team, Cleveland committed 15 turnovers in the second half, which helped them blow a 29-point lead. Harden and the Cavs will look to bounce back on Saturday when they host the Nets.

Harden’s new deal includes a trade kicker and a player option, so he’ll retain some form of control over his future. The superstar guard was traded from the Clippers midseason, and Cleveland made the Eastern Conference Finals. The team will look to continue its upward trajectory with the pairing of Harden and Donovan Mitchell, and the former is still a reliable fantasy option heading into his 18th season.

Harden, who helped the Cavaliers reach the Eastern Conference Finals last season, would have earned a base salary of $42.3 million had he opted into the final season of his contract. However, the decision to opt out and negotiate a new deal with the Cavaliers is likely to benefit both parties. While Harden would get additional security in the form of more years, Cleveland may be able to give him a lower annual salary. With the team hopeful to retain pending free agent Dean Wade while also lowering its payroll, every little bit helps.

Harden struggled throughout the Eastern Conference Finals, and Monday’s 130-93 defeat was no different. In addition to shooting 25 percent from the field, the veteran guard was a brutal 0-of-6 from beyond the arc. And for the 33rd time in his postseason career, Harden finished a game with more turnovers (five) than made field goals. He has a player option for 2026-27 worth just over $42.3 million, but there’s always the possibility that Harden and the Cavaliers agree to an extension with a lower annual salary. From the trade deadline onward, he provided second-round value in eight-cat formats. Expecting similar production from Harden next season would be realistic, even with the poor showing in the conference finals.

While more productive in Game 3 than he was in either of the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, Harden’s overall impact was once again muted. Given the matchup, the Cavaliers can ill afford not to have Harden playing at an elite level. He shot just 1-of-7 from beyond the arc on Saturday and finished with as many turnovers as assists. Harden and the Cavaliers need a win on Monday to avoid getting swept.

After racking up six turnovers and getting torched defensively by Jalen Brunson in Game 1, Harden recorded a better stat line on Thursday. While the field-goal percentage remained low, The Beard did not commit a turnover in 32 minutes. However, he had just two assists, a byproduct of the Cavaliers’ shooting 38.8 percent from the field and 9-of-35 from three. The Cavaliers will hope that Harden can find his groove in Game 3 on Saturday, as they sit in a 0-2 hole.

Harden had a rough Tuesday night at MSG. He struggled with his shot, particularly from beyond the arc, failed to generate points for his teammates, and turned the ball over six times. Additionally, he was the defensive target the Knicks repeatedly aimed for during the fourth quarter and overtime, as New York walked down Cleveland and overcame a 22-point comeback. Harden will almost certainly need to be better going forward for the Cavaliers to win games in this series. He’ll have a chance to bounce back in Game 2 on Thursday.